asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of giving full recognition to the Mexican Government, so that normal trade relations may be resumed with that country, in view of the fact that such recognition has been extended by the other great Powers, and that Great Britain is concerned to the extent of £150,000,000 in Mexican investments?

I would refer the hon.

Member to the answer which I gave on 17th December last to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) in reply to a question on the same subject, of which I am sending him a copy. No change has occurred in the situation since that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what is the reason for the delay in the publication of the Report of the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control?

The hon. Member's question is based on a misapprehension. There has, in fact, been no delay. The Report, which is very voluminous, was only received by the Inter-Allied Military Committee at Versailles, to whom it was addressed, on the 18th of February. It is the duty of that Committee to consider this Report and to submit their own comments to the Ambassadors' Conference, who will report to the Allied Governments. The question of publication is one which must be decided by the Allies in consultation. I do not at present desire to express any opinion upon it, beyond saying that I conceive that the object of the Allies must be to obtain the fulfilment of those provisions of the Treaty of Versailles on which by the terms of that Treaty, the reduction of the period for the occupation of the Cologne area is made to depend. If this be so, it would appear that the expediency or otherwise of publication will depend upon whether publication would or would not facilitate the satisfaction of the Allies' just demands, and consequently the evacuation of the Cologne area.

Inasmuch as it has been repeatedly stated that the Germans are in default under their Treaty engagements, is it not desirable that the specific charges of default should be made public?

I have given a carefully considered answer, and I think it inexpedient to argue about it at this stage with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will have the Report of the Inter-Allied Military Mission of Control dealing with the failure of Germany to fulfil the disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles circulated in the House, and this at the earliest possible moment; and, if he cannot see his way to circulate the Report as a whole, will he have circulated in detail the precise grounds of complaint upon which the Allied Governments based their decision to suspend the operation of Clause 429 of the Treaty?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough West (Mr. T. Thomson).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any decision has been arrived at as to the date at which the five years mentioned in Article 429 of the Treaty of Versailles began to run?

The date is fixed by the Treaty of Versailles itself. The provisional periods mentioned in Article 429 are governed by Article 428, which lays down that the Rhineland shall be occupied for a period of 15 years from the coming into force of the Treaty. In accordance with the procedure laid down in its final article, the Treaty came into force on 10th January, 1920. His Majesty's Government have never admitted that the date of evacuation could be called in question.

(1) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in relation to the charging clauses of a permissive character contained in the several Peace Treaties concluded at the end of the Great War, authorising the attachment of the private property in this country of individuals of enemy nationality to answer the obligations of ex-enemy states, he has considered the inadequacy of the indemnity furnished by such enemy states and, in particular, that Germany limits the recoupment of its nationals whose property has been so attached and confiscated by His Majesty's Government to £2 per £1,000 so forfeited, whereby German nationals have in many cases been reduced from comparative opulence to destitution; whether he is aware that under the Winslow Act (1923) the Government of the United States of America has released all charges up to 10,000 dollars and that a Bill is now before Congress for the total cancellation of the confiscatory clauses; and, if so, will he consider whether, by extending the powers of Lord Blanesburgh's Committee, he can bring about an amelioration in extreme cases;

(2) asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the insufficiency of the instructions given to the Committee presided over by Lord Blanesburgh, and to the recommendations made by such Committee in their interim and special Reports, with reference to the inadequacy of the scope of such instructions to enable them to mitigate the sacrifice entailed upon individuals of enemy nationality whose property has been attached under the provisions of the several Peace Treaties; whether he is aware that, under the operation of these Treaties, persons whose property has been so attached have been reduced from relative opulence to destitution, and that by reason of the inadequacy of their powers. Lord Blanesburgh's Committee are unable to make such orders as are necessary to relieve their extreme want; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the powers of the Committee so as to enable them to make such orders as will relieve these persons from the position in which they are placed by the attachment of their property?

The answer is somewhat long, and, if my hon. and learned Friend will permit me, I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it proposed to make any alteration to meet the request of Lord Blanesburgh's Committee?

If the right hon. Gentleman awaits receipt of the replies which I am sending to him, he will be fully informed.

Will the hon. Gentleman take into account that there is a good deal of feeling on this matter in the country?

Following is the reply :

The recommendations made by Lord Blanesburgh's Committee in their special Report of 24th December, 1923, were accepted early in 1924 and are being carried into effect. I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that any release of property so charged is by way of indulgence; that the ex-enemy Governments have been permitted to retain the proceeds of the property of British nationals which they liquidated during the War and the pre-War debts owing to British nationals which they have since collected, and that they are under an obligation to pay compensation to their own nationals whose property has been charged in the Allied countries. There has been no confiscation on the part Of His Majesty's Government. The proceeds of the German property realised by the British Custodian are duly accounted for to the German Government, and if that Government does not pay proper compensation to its own nationals, that is not a matter for which His Majesty's Government can be held responsible. I am informed that the German Government have under consideration proposals for a considerable increase in the amount of compensation paid by them to their nationals. I am aware of the United States legislation as regards enemy property but the circumstances in that country are entirely different, and in any ease, for the reasons stated, I cannot consider any further extension of the powers of Lord Blanesburgh's Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he seek competent advice to ascertain whether the provisions of the charging Clauses of the several peace treaties whereby the property of individual subjects of ex-enemy countries deposited in Great Britain are confiscated are or are not opposed alike to the common law of this country and also to international law; and whether he will set up a Committee of this House to consider as to the expediency of reviewing the operation of such orders and their effect on the established principles of domicile and the right to hold property free from confiscation, as to the injury to the credit of this country abroad resulting from the absence of security of investments held here whets subject to confiscation at the instance of the State without reference to the rights of the owners, and the desirability of re- viewing, revising, limiting, or otherwise amending the provisions of such charging Clauses so far as regards their administration?

In reply to my hon. and learned Friend, I desire to point out that there has been no confiscation of ex-enemy private property by the British Government. Under the provisions of the Treaties, the proceeds of sale of ex-enemy property in British territory are cleared against similar proceeds of British property in ex-enemy countries, and the opposing Governments are thereby put into a position to account to their respective nationals for such proceeds. His Majesty's Government has adhered to the above provisions, and has rendered strict account to the opposing Governments of the property of their nationals in British territory, and it can accept no responsibility for any failure of ex-enemy Governments to comply with the Treaty provisions in this respect. In view of the above explanation, the necessity for the appointment of the Committee suggested by my hon. and learned Friend does not arise.

Is my right hon. Friend aware, whether he calls it confiscation of enemy property or not, that there are sums of money in this country which are being prevented from being paid over to the owners, even though the owners are reduced to a position of impecuniosity? Surely there is some remedy that the Government ought to apply?

I think the hon. Gentleman will find the reply to his supplementary question in the reply to the earlier question, of which I am sending him a copy.

Are not the principal sufferers from these Regulations English-born women who have married foreigners?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, upon the question of French security, any assurances which will in any degree affect the freedom of action of His Majesty's Government in regard to the evacuation of Cologne have been given to the French Government?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the cost in 1924 of moving the British Embassy from Washington to summer quarters; and whether it is proposed to incur similar expenditure in 1925?

The sum of £1,100, at par of exchange, was contributed from public funds towards the cost of moving the British Embassy at Washington to summer quarters in 1924. If public business at His Majesty's Embassy at Washington permit, it is proposed to incur approximately similar expenditure in 1925.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will shortly make a statement on the recent Opium Conference at Geneva?

I propose to lay a full Report as a Command Paper as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he will be able to make a statement or circulate a White Paper showing the views of the Government on the Geneva Protocol and the amendments, if any, which they intend to propose?

I regret that I cannot yet say when I shall be in a position to give the information asked for in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to submit amendments to the Protocol at the forthcoming League of Nations Council; and, if so, whether he will indicate to the House the nature of these amendments?

The consideration of the Protocol by His Majesty's Government is not yet concluded, and it is therefore undesirable that I should make any statement upon it at present.

further asked the Prime Minister whether the recent criticism of the Committee of Imperial Defence concerning the protocol has been put into writing; and, if so, whether he will communicate to the House the substance of this criticism?

The matter being still under consideration, His Majesty's Government are not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has been any further development with regard to the proposed international institute for the furtherance of intellectual co-operation offered by the French Government under certain conditions to the League of Nations: whether the acceptance of these proposals by the Assembly of the League of Nations is now definite; whether he has any information with regard to the appointment of directors to this proposed international institute; and whether he will consider the desirability of urging that the proposed institute should be located at Geneva?

The Council at its session in December had before it a draft letter from the French Government which it decided to consider as constituting the agreement recommended by the Assembly. Some slight amendments were suggested, and I am not aware whether the letter in its final form has actually been received by the President of the Council nor whether the agreement has formally taken effect. Subject to such an agreement, the acceptance of the French offer by the League of Nations is definite. The Committee of Intellectual Co-operation, with the approval of the Council, have to nominate a committee of directors. I am not aware whether any steps have yet been taken in this direction. The location of the institute in Paris has been decided upon, and the question can hardly be reopened.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether instructions will be given to the British representative at the Council of the League of Nations that the Chairman of the Governing Commission of the Saar Valley, who will be appointed at the next meeting of the Council, should be familiar with the German language, which is the language of the inhabitants of the Saar Valley; and whether His Majesty's Government consider themselves free to suggest a change in the nationality of the President?

I can add nothing to the answer given to the hon. Member on 18th February.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reputation of the League of Nations for impartiality in the government of the Saar Valley must suffer if there is no change in the nationality of the chairman?

No, Sir. I must not be taken as agreeing with the hon. Gentleman's view.

What instructions does the right hon. Gentleman propose to give our representative in the matter of the election of the chairman?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, seeing that the arrest of and charges against Captain Joys and Mr. Buxton, of the s.s. "Edith Cavell," were under the French decree. of 24th March, 1852, which is a disciplinary decree applicable only to the French mercantile marine, and that therefore the arrest is misconceived, if he will make representations for the immediate release and repatriation of these officers?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris has already made urgent representations to the French Government for the immediate abandonment of proceedings against the two officers and for permission for them to leave St. Laurent.

Does the answer "Yes, Sir" mean that the hon. Gentleman agrees that the decree under which proceedings were taken has no reference whatever to anybody but French officers and members of the French Mercantile Marine?

No, Sir; I am not competent to give an opinion upon that point. What I wish to tell my hon. Friend is that every action possible is being taken to help these two officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will institute any negotiations in order to meet the criticisms of Australia and New Zealand with reference to the state of affairs in the New Hebrides?

The matter is under consideration; and I can say no more than that at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Condominium Agreement of 1899 is still effectively in force or, if not, under what instrument the Government of the Sudan is being carried on?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the second part does not therefore arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to lay a Paper or make a statement showing to what extent the Condominium Agreement has been modified

The hon. and gallant Member's question was whether the agreement was still effectively in force. I replied that it was.

Inasmuch as the right hon. Gentleman told me a few days ago that it had been modified owing to certain circumstances, will he state specifically what modifications have taken place?

My recollection is that I did not say the agreement had been modified. If I did, I expressed myself badly under cross-examination. What I think I said was that our action had been altered, in consequence of the events which had taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information indicating the intention of the Portuguese Government to increase their customs tariff at an early date?

I have been asked to reply. The; Portuguese Government have recently increased the duty on woollen goods and tea, but I am not aware whether they intend to introduce further increases of duty in the near future. Any information on the subject which may reach us from our representatives in Portugal will be duly announced in the Board of Trade Journal.

Do the Government take any steps, when foreign countries propose increased tariffs, to induce those countries not to put on increases which are prejudicial to British trade?

Yes, Sir. Our representatives on the spot do all they can to further the interests of British trade.

Do they make known that we ourselves are proposing tariffs

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the American Consul-General in London is purporting to act as intermediary between the collector of United States Income Tax and British subjects domiciled in Great Britain and addressing communications to them in that capacity; whether this is in accordance with the duties of consular officers and within the usage of international comity in foreign countries, as generally understood; and whether the British Consul-General in New York renders similar services to the British Government in the case of American subjects domiciled in the United States liable, or suspected of being liable, for British Income Tax?

I have no official information about the action of the Consul-General. So far as I am aware His Majesty's Consul-General at New York does not make communications of the kind suggested to United States citizens.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the proportion of men on the fixed establishment at the Malta dockyard is approximately the same as in other royal dockyards overseas; and, if not, whether steps will gradually be taken to equalise the proportion?

There is no designed scale of establishment for local workmen either at Malta or any other dockyard abroad. Establishment has been allowed in special cases, and the number of such cases at Malta is not on a lower scale than at other dockyards abroad.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the approximate cost of a breakwater at Marsa Sirrocco Bay can be estimated by the civil engineering staff at Malta, to facilitate the discussion on the urgency of that work when the Naval Estimates come before the House; and how often in the last two years His Majesty's ships in that harbour have been in serious danger?

The civil engineering staff at Malta is fully occupied on urgent current work, and I am, therefore, unwilling to divert them from their normal duties in order to investigate a proposal for a work which my hon. Friend has already been informed is not considered necessary. There is no record at the Admiralty of any of His Majesty's ships having been in serious danger in the harbour during the last two years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that seamen of the Royal Navy who have to travel home long distances for their holidays sometimes are put to heavy expense; that cases occur where men are out of pocket as much as two to four pounds; and whether he could arrange for special consideration to be paid to cases where the return fare amounts to more than one pound?

As already indicated in my reply of the 19th February to the hon. Member for Devonport (Major Hore-Belisha), all men of the Royal Navy participate in a concession granted by the railway companies whereby cheap return tickets are issued for journeys on leave. I realise that men who have to travel long distances to their homes on leave may still be put to substantial expense, but I regret that it is not possible to make a contribution from public funds in any such cases.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the dates on which the "Nelson" and "Rodney" were laid down and when it is anticipated they will be launched and commissioned?

These ships were laid down in December, 1922. It is anticipated they will be launched in the autumn of this year, and completed in the latter half of next year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval officers were qualified for service with the Royal Naval Air Service on the outbreak of War in 1914; and how many are qualified for Air service at present?

As the reply is somewhat long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Are the numbers larger or smaller than in 1914?

I think I had better not discuss that. If the hon. and gallant Member will read my answer, I shall be glad to reply to any further questions he may wish to put to me.

The reply is as follows :

The number of officers qualified for service with the Royal Naval Air Service on the outbreak of War in 1914 was 83, of which 62 were naval officers on the active list and the remainder R.N.R. and direct entry officers.

At the present date the position is as follows:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will now authorise the publication of the Harper Report on the battle of Jutland?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any special warships will be at Australian ports to welcome the American Pacific Fleet on the occasion of its visit to Australia next July?

It is not anticipated that any of His Majesty's ships other than those of the Royal Australian Navy will be in Australian ports on the occasion of this visit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the hardships endured by those serving in the coastal motor-boat service and whether he will cause inquiries to be made regarding the special risks incurred by those so serving with a view to making some special payment to them?

Under present conditions no reason is seen for authorising extra pay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction occasioned in the submarine service arising from the issue of Admiralty Fleet Order 3,095/24; whether this Order was issued because the voluntary system of manning submarines had broken down; and whether any complaints have been received from officers and/or ratings in this service as to the conditions under which they serve, and also as to the new method of making up the complements with volunteers and pressed men?

The answer to the first and last parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, until comparatively recently, the proportion of the total personnel required for submarines was so small that there were always sufficient volunteers. Now that the proportion of submarines to the Navy as a whole has increased, drafting to submarines will be carried out on similar lines to that for all other ships, although volunteers will still be taken first.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the submarine branch of His Majesty's Navy was a volunteer service from the date of its inception, he will review the terms of A.F.O. 3095/1924, observing that service in submarines was made compulsory only for ratings entering His Majesty's Navy after August, 1920?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to Question No. 34. All ranks and ratings have always been liable for service in submarines, and I know of no authority for the statement in the last part of the question.

Then can the terms of service be varied by mere A.F.O., and does it not require an Order in Council?

They are not varied by A.F.O. They have always been liable to submarine service.

Is it not a fact that, up to this moment, all the men who have served in submarines have been volunteers?

They were asked to volunteer, and up till a short time ago there was a sufficient number who did, but they have always been liable to service in submarines.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, in view of the institution of the central store system in His Majesty's Navy, a retired lieutenant for store duties is borne on the establishment of the naval ordnance inspection depot at Woolwich; whether, in the interests of economy, he will consider transferring the responsibility for these stores to the Naval Ordnance Store Department, as is the case in service afloat; if the pay of the retired officer chosen to fill the post is £576 per annum, or if lodging allowance is paid in addition, and to what amount; and if this Royal Naval officer's emoluments are in addition to or include his retired pay?

I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

This is a further question from last week, to which the same reply was made. Are we, to go on till the end of the Session without my getting an answer? I will try again next week, and I hope the hop. Gentleman will be able to give me one then, even if it is long.

The reply to the Question on the Paper ix as follows :

The system of centralised storekeeping which has been instituted in His Majesty's Fleet is not applied to naval ordnance stores either afloat or ashore. Moreover, the inspection branch of the Naval Ordance Department is entirely separate from the Armament Supply Department, which was formerly known as the Ordnance Store Branch. The retired officer referred to is borne for storekeeping and miscellaneous duties entirely within the Naval Ordnance Inspection Branch. The transfer of these duties to the Armament Supply Department would not result in economy and would, moreover, involve a serious departure from the administrative principles upon which the inspection and supply of naval ordnance material are conducted. The Admiralty is, therefore, not prepared to consider the change suggested. The pay of the retired officer referred to is £567 per annum, inclusive. (not £576 as stated in my reply of the 18th February), and no lodging or other allowance is paid in addition thereto. The officer's retired pay is suspended during his tenure of the past.

asked the Firs:, Lord of the Admiralty what is the nature of the Committee that is inquiring into the naval shipbuilding position; when it will commence work; and what is the scope of the Inquiry?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member a week ago.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if any decision has been reached regarding the transfer of any considerable number of men from Rosyth to southern dockyards; and if he can state the reason for their transfer?

It is not in contemplation to transfer any considerable number of men from Rosyth to southern dockyards.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether contracts for the new Australian cruisers have yet been placed; if so, with whom; whether they have been laid down; and when it is anticipated they will be completed?

The arrangements for placing contracts for these cruisers are not being made by the Admiralty, but by the Australian Commonwealth Government. I understand, however, that they have not yet been placed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many aircraft carriers are built or building of over 19,000 tons displacement for the United States of America, Japan, and the British Empire?

As the reply contains many figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The reply is as follows :

The following aircraft carriers of over 10,000 tons displacement are built or building for the United States of America, Japan, and the British Empire:

In addition Japan has an aircraft carrier, the "Hosho," of 9,500 tons. The total tonnage allowed by the Washington Treaty is: Great Britain 135,000, United States of America 135.900, Japan 81,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many ships of all classes took part in the last October manœuvres of the Japanese Navy?

193 ships were engaged in these manœuvres, made up of 6 battleships. 3 battle cruisers, 37 cruisers and miscellaneous other vessels, 97 destroyers, 35 submarines and 15 auxiliaries.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the grand total of warships laid down by the British Empire and Japan respectively since the signing of the Washington Treaty, including, as coming under the designation of war craft, capital ships, air-plane carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines; whether he will give the similar grand totals for ships sanctioned but not yet laid down; and whether he will

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department have any projects in view for the utilisation of unemployed labour for the purpose of assisting farmers and landowners in the draining of their land, digging out ditches trimming of hedges, and rebuilding of stone walls rendered necessary by the years of negligence during the War and a succession of wet winters?

As I informed my Noble Friend on Wednesday last, provision is already made for assistance to agricultural committees and other local bodies for schemes of land drainage to give employment to men who would ether-wise be unemployed. Some 500 schemes of this nature have already been approved as part of the winter's programme. I am sending my Noble Friend details of the conditions under which grants can be made by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Is it not the case that there is a great shortage of skilled hedge trimmers in the country at the present moment, and in view of that fact, and also in view of the amount of juvenile unemployment in the country, would it not be possible to get some sort of scheme for training juveniles in hedge trimming?

circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the particular figures on which the grand totals are based?

As the reply is in tabular form, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The reply is as follows :

If the Noble Lord will put that question down, or will confer with me, I will give him an answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of giving grants to the Highlands for the cutting of the bracken, which is destroying so much of the Highlands?

That would not be under this Minister.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployment has been exceptionally prevalent for some years in the town of Wishaw, and that there were on the books of the Employment Exchange for that district on the 9th instant no fewer than 2,066, of whom 190, or thereby, will be deprived of further unemployment benefit under a, circular issued by the Ministry of Labour, which came into operation on the 19th instant, and affects many cases of longstanding unemployment, those mainly where less than eight contributions have been paid since the 3rd July, 1922, or less than 30 at any time and whether, in view of the widespread hardship thus entailed, he will reconsider the putting into operation or the continuance of the said circular?

The total number of names on the live registers of the Wishaw Exchange was 2,066, as stated by the hon. Member. The figure of 191, however, given by him was not the figure of those who will "be deprived of further unemployment benefit under" the recent circular I issued, but only of those referred to the Claims and Record Office of the Ministry to ascertain the contribution position of the claimants. Of 175 cases which have so far been returned, only 16 were found not to satisfy the conditions for receiving benefit, and of this latter number, it is not at present certain that some may not be entitled to claim further consideration by the committee on the ground that they are disabled ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons over 60 and under 70 years of age who have been refused unemployment benefit on the ground that they are unemployable?

I regret that the figures asked for are not available.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the fact that this benefit, when withheld, is practically putting these people between 60 and 70 years of age into the position of paupers, and will he reconsider the whole question?

I am perfectly willing to consider the whole question, in so far as it is proved that the benefit is being withheld. I have had many questions on the subject, and the whole question can be raised in the Debate which. I understand, is to take place on Thursday week.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases that have been refused benefits at the Springburn Employment Exchange since 1st December, 1924, to date?

The number of applications for extended benefit which were refused at the Springburn Employment Exchange during the period 9th December, 1924, to 9th February, 1925, was 607 out of 3,952 cases referred to the committee during the period.

May I ask whether any further consideration is going to be given by the rota committees, under the right hon. Gentleman's instructions, to these 600 cases?

I will inquire into that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the large number of men who are being deprived of any further benefit on the ground that the local employment committee consider they have failed to prove that in normal times insurable employment suitable to their capacities would be available, and in view of the hardship thereby caused to the men and the additional burden thereby thrown on the local funds, he will withdraw the Regulation or modify its effect?

The condition for the receipt of extended benefit to which the hon. Member refers, is a statutory provision, contained in Section 1 (3) of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, of August last, and I have no power to withdraw this condition or to modify its effect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of modifying it by legislation?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed refused benefit at the Middlesbrough Employment Exchange since 1st January as not genuinely seeking work; and whether he will consider providing some definition of what constitutes genuinely seeking work, in order to guide local rota committees in the making of decisions on a uniform basis?

During the four weeks ended 9th February the number of persons refused benefit by the Middlesbrough local employment committee on the ground that they were not making every reasonable effort to obtain suitable employment or not willing to accept suitable employment was 134. The local employment committees are in possession of memoranda for their guidance in the interpretation of the statutory conditions governing extended benefit.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the regula- tions are so vague as to lead to no uniformity, and does ha not think that the only reasonable standard for refusing benefit is the offer of a job that has actually been refused?

The answer to the second part of that question is, No. You have to judge every case, so far as possible, on its merits, and it is quite clear that in some cases it may be perfectly reasonable to come to the conclusion that a man is not willing to accept suitable employment, even though at that moment there may not be a vacancy to offer. The local committees have, as I say, to take every case really on its merits.

Is it not a fact that the Employment Exchanges were set up to avoid people having to walk about looking for work, and if a, man is on the register and signs regularly, why should it be regarded that he is not genuinely seeking work when he is carrying out the procedure that the State tells him to do?

That is a matter for debate.

asked the Minister of Labour how many boards of guardians have sent protests against the Ministry of Labours regulation whereby unemployed insured men are deprived of any further benefit on the ground that they have failed to prove that in normal times insurable employment suited to their capacities would be likely to be available for them; whether he is aware that such a decision is inflicting hardship upon men who, although 65 years of age and over, might have a fair chance of securing employment in normal times; and that the continuance of the regulation has the effect of transferring the support of these men from the unemployment insurance fund to the local rates?

I have received between 60 and 70 protests from boards of guardians with regard to this requirement. The requirement has existed for some years and was made statutory by the Act of last August. It cannot therefore be altered without legislation. I feel bound to add that it would in my opinion be a grave departure from the principle of an insurance scheme to pay extended benefit where this requirement is not satisfied.

Is the Minister of Labour aware that over 500 men have had their unemployment benefit stopped at Blaina because they cannot find employment, and that there are 100,000 men out of employment in the mining industry? Does he propose to modify the Order that he has issued?

The implication of what my right hon. Friend has said—if I have taken him aright—is, shortly, that there are 100,000 men in the mining industry whose unemployment benefit may be stopped—[HON. MEMBERS: "No. no!"] Figures are rather difficult to enter upon in supplementary questions and answers, so, perhaps, the hon. Member will put this particular question down.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 30,000 girls under 18 years of age recorded as unemployed are in receipt of unemployment benefit; and whether, having regard to the great demand still existing for young women in occupations appropriate to their sex, he will consider the desirability of excluding from the unemployment insurance scheme all women under 30 years of age?

At 9th February the number of girls under 18 years of age on the registers of Employment Exchanges and local education bureaux in Great Britain was 34,480, of whom those having current claims to benefit numbered 11,565, or about 3 per cent. of the number of girls under 18 insured and paying contributions when employed. Those claiming benefit are required to show us, among other things, that they are unable to obtain suitable employment, and I do not think the figures I have quoted point to the desirability of excluding girls, or women under 30, from the liability to pay contributions during insurable employment.

asked the Minister of Labour if there are any recipients of unemployment relief now living in Ostend or other parts of Belgium and drawing their relief weekly from the British Consulate in Ostend; and, if so, what are the numbers?

Persons resident outside the United Kingdom are disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit by Section 8 (3) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. There are, consequently, no recipients of unemployment benefit in Ostend or other parts of Belgium.

May I take it the information to this effect which has been spread about is absolute fabrication?

I cannot say as to the fabricated character of it, but I believe it is entirely incorrect.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the representatives of the workpeople on the Aberdeen Unemployment Committee have resigned as a protest against the action of the divisional officer at Edinburgh in overturning decisions which they have made; and what steps he is prepared to take to have a full inquiry into this matter and secure the co-operation of the working-class representatives?

I am awaiting a full report, and w ill go very carefully into the circumstances as soon as I have received it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not only are the Aberdeen Exchange workmen's representatives dissatisfied, but Members of Parliament are dissatisfied with the autocratic action taken up by this official?

If Members of Parliament are dissatisfied, they will have the opportunity of explaining it on Thursday week. As regards Aberdeen, I am not aware there was any autocratic action taken by any officials I know of, but I forbear to make any detailed statement about the matter until I have really gone into the facts.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount paid by trade unions in out-of-work benefit since the year 1913?

Information is not available for all trade unions, but as regards unions, in Great Britain, registered under the Trade Union Acts, comprising over four-fifths of the aggregate membership of all unions, statistics showing the income, and the expenditure on various forms of benefit, including unemployment, travelling, and emigration benefit, are published in a statistical summary compiled by the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to consider the introduction of legislation to make unemployment benefit payable to the guardians in respect of a wife or children of an unemployed man when such wife or children are maintained in a Poor Law institution?

I shall be prepared to consider this suggestion, if and when further legislation is introduced, but at present I am not at all satisfied that this is a charge which should be placed on the Unemployment Fund.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has specially considered the question of unemployment in the West Ham area; whether he is aware that a large proportion of the unemployment there is due to scarcity of work in the docks; and, as any increase of work is dependent upon an increase either of exports or imports, if he will consider special schemes of relief for this area until such time as our international trade shows more signs of revival?

I am aware of the extent of unemployment in the West Ham area. If the local authority will put forward applications for grants towards the cost of schemes of public utility to be undertaken for the relief of unemployment there, the Departments concerned will give them every consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in those cases where unemployment has been abnormally large during the past three or four years and is now increasing, he is prepared to recommend the Government to offer these districts some further assistance?

My right hon. Friend has given further consideration to this question, but he does not think that he can add anything to the answer which he gave on the 12th February in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Taylor).

Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether the Minister has taken into account, the new factor which has arisen? The modification of the Regulation as to the payment of unemployment benefit has hit certain towns very badly by transferring large sums of money from the unemployment benefit fund to the rates. In view of that new factor will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the question?

My right hon. Friend knows that, and also, as he pointed out last week, that in addition to the special grant for unemployment relief works, the rates have been materially relieved by the passing of the Unemployment Insurance Act of last year.

The Labour Government!

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons on the register as unemployed in West Ham, Stratford, and Canning Town Exchanges separately; how many of these are men, women, and young persons, respectively; and how many persons are registered as working short time in the areas mentioned?

The Employment Exchanges at Stratford and Canning Town cover the whole of West Ham. The number of persons recorded on the registers of the Employment Exchange at Stratford at 16th February, 1925, was 7,424, of whom, 5,419 were men, 1,481 women, and 524 juveniles. At Canning Town the number was 12,789, of whom, 10,510 were men, 1,180 women and 1,099 juveniles. Separate figures for persons working short time are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the rota committees connected with local Employment Exchanges, and to whom applicants for extended benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts must appeal, in many cases comprise only one person; and whether, as this practice is contrary to the generally accepted meaning of the term committee, namely a body of not less than three persons, he will cause inquiry to be made into the matter in order that such one-person committees be brought to an end?

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Govan on 11th February, the rules for the composition of rota committees provide that the persons shall form a quorum, but that, if two persons are unable to be present at the hearing of a case, the case should not be postponed but should be dealt with by the remaining member, and his recommendation should. be submitted for confirmation to a fully-constituted sub-committee. I do not think that it would be in the interests of applicants themselves to forbid the hearing of applications if only one member of the committee attends, but the practice is confined within the narrowest possible limits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are trade union members, social workers, willing to serve upon these committees, and give their time voluntarily if he issues instructions to his Department to send round invitations?

The committees are already composed of representatives of workers, of employers, and also those who have other interests. Invitations are given to those already. If it is found that persons cannot under present circumstances be obtained to attend so as to have a proper attendance at the rota committee, I will always consider the possibility of issuing further invitations to increase it, if need be.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in continuation of the table which appeared in the last number of the Abstract of Labour Statistics issued in 1915, be can now state the wage index numbers for the principal groups of trades at the end of 1924?

Owing to the wide diversity of the changes in wage rates in different industries since 1914, wages index numbers prepared on the same basis as that adopted for the table published in the 17th Abstract of Labour Statistics would be subject to so many qualifications as to be of little value, if not actually misleading. Particulars as to the comparative levels of rates of wages at August, 1914, and the end of December, 1924, however, together with certain index numbers are published in the current issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government has considered the introduction of legislation dealing with the activities of professional money-lenders?

I have been asked to reply to this question. This matter is receiving consideration.

May I ask whether the same legislation which prevents the sending through the post of immoral literature could not be applied to these money-lenders' circulars?

The Board of Trade is also interested in this matter, and we are in consultation with them at this moment on the subject.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when any decision is likely to be arrived at?

I hope very soon.

Will it not he possible to make it compulsory for money-lenders to mark the envelopes containing their circulars?

That is one of the questions which will have to be considered.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to arrange for an inquiry into the earnings of manual workers on lines similar to the inquiry carried out in 1906?

The Ministry of Labour is about to undertake an inquiry into the earnings and hours of labour of manual workers in manufacturing industries in 1924. The information asked for will be considerably less detailed than that obtained in 1906, but arrangements are in contemplation for amplifying it at a later date by means of inquiries into particular industries taken separately. The issue of the, schedules for the present inquiry will begin next month. The return of these schedules by employers is, of course, voluntary, not compulsory, but in view of the importance of having accurate information on this subject, I hope employers will co-operate by supplying the details, which will be kept strictly confidential as regards any individual firm or establishment, and only used for compiling general statements.

Will the earnings of domestic servants and clerks be included in the inquiry?

I think I must ask for notice of a detailed question like that.

Are the headings under which the information is supplied to be sent out by the Ministry, or left to be put by the employers themselves?

I will make inquiries, and tell the hon. Gentleman. Speaking from memory, they are to be sent out by the Ministry.

Will there be any checking by the workers' representatives?

I shall need notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour the aggregate number of persons involved in industrial disputes during the last 10 years; the estimated number of separate individuals so involved; and, so far as it can be estimated, the number of separate individual wage- earners who have never partaken in an industrial dispute during the last 10 years?

Statistics showing the numbers of workpeople involved in industrial disputes in each of the years 1910–1924 were published in an article in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for January last, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. Figures do not exist showing the numbers of separate individuals who have, or have not, been involved in such disputes.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in the State and municipal services, respectively, in Great Britain who enjoy not less than one week's holiday each year with full pay; and the number of persons enjoying the same privilege in the service of private firms?

As the reply is necessarily somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply :

Exact figures are not available, but it is estimated that among the emplpoyés of Government Departments, about 270,000 of the clerical and manipulative classes. and rather more than 30,000 workpeople in industrial establishments, are granted annual holidays, with full pay, of not less than one week (apart from public holidays). Among the emplpoyés of local authorities, and among private firms, the numbers of manual workers covered by collective agreements known to the Ministry of Labour to have been arrived at by organisations representing employers and workpeople, providing for at least one week's holiday annually with full pay, are estimated at about 150,000 and nearly 1½ millions, respectively. In addition, a large proportion of the clerical and salaried emplpoyés of local authorities and of commercial and industrial firms are granted annual holidays with pay, but no statistics are available which would enable a satisfactory estimate to be made of the total numbers of such emplpoyés.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department is prepared to supply from its insurance records information concerning an insured person in cases where such information is necessary for the enforcement of an Order of the Court that the insured person shall contribute to the support of his wife whom he has deserted and whether, assuming that a wife is morally, if not legally, entitled to all information available which may lead to the recovery of her husband, and that the husband has defied the Court and left his wife unprovided for, he will authorise his Department in this case to disclose to the wife or to the Court any information in its possession concerning the husband?

The rule that information relating to insured persons which comes into the possession of approved societies in the course of their administration of a State scheme of compulsory insurance should not generally be used otherwise than for the purposes of such administration, except with the consent of the insured persons themselves, has been consistently followed by every Government since 1912, and my right hon. Friend is net prepared to depart from it, unless for grave reason.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will facilitate future Debate on proposed duties under the Safeguarding of Industries Act by causing a Return to be prepared showing, as regards articles now subject to duty, the proportion of the duty assignable to the imported raw material in a manufactured article and the proportion of the duty on the same article assignable to the important labour constituent thereof; and whether a Return can be prepared on the same lines as regards the principal manufactured imports not subject to duty?

I regret that the information necessary for the preparation of the Returns for which my hon. Friend asks is not available,

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the key to the unemployment question is to be found by rending the veil that covers sweated labour by importing it under the guise of legitimate Free Trade?

That seems to be part of an undelivered speech.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the action of the Housing Committee of the Corporation of Glasgow in laying down, at the instance of the building operatives, that the building trade rate of wages and conditions must be enforced in the erection of the proposed standardised steel houses by Lord Weir's firm; whether he is aware that, in these circumstances, Lord Weir has informed the Corporation of Glasgow that he cannot proceed with the proposed contract for the erection of houses for Glasgow workers to meet the existing serious shortage; and what action is being taken by the Ministry to secure the success of their scheme for accelerating the provision of houses for the working classes?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts to which my hon. Friend refers. The matter is engaging the attention of the Government, but my right hon. Friend is not in a position to make a statement at the present time.

Will my hon. Friend represent to the Minister the great urgency of dealing with this matter promptly in view of the indignation in the country at the holding-up—[ Interruption ]—of urgently needed houses?

Are the building trade rates referred to the rates for skilled or for unskilled labour in the building industry?

I cannot enter into discussion of this matter now. The whole subject is receiving the careful consideration of my right hon. Friend.

When the statement referred to is made, will it be made in a form to permit of discussion in the House

I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to address that question to the Leader of the House.

Will Ministers consider the desirability of postponing the attack on the industry and the rights of the workers until they have completed their political attack?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the legal advice given to the Glasgow Corporation by eminent solicitors and lawyers in Scotland is that it is illegal under the bye-laws and standing orders of the Corporation to grant a contract to Lord Weir under the wage conditions he is offering [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"]

Is it not a fact that many people in Glasgow are in possession of houses, and are refusing to pay the rent, and therefore——

On a point of Order. The hon. Member opposite has stated that Glasgow people are not paying rents. I want to put this point. In view of the fact that a Commission has been appointed by the Secretary for Scotland to inquire into the facts of the rent situation of Scotland, that that Committee has not reported yet, and has only heard evidence, is it not grossly unfair for a Member of this House to make remarks of that kind?

I was just about to rule the question out of order as being irrelevant, and introducing a point which has nothing to do with the question which has been answered.